Denmark

Where the simple things is life are the most important

Denmark at a glance

CapitalCopenhagen

LanguageDanish

CurrencyDanish krone (DKK)

Extension42,925.46 sq km

Population5,707,251 (2016 estimate)

Denmark consists of a peninsula and 400+ islands in the North Sea. A bridge between Scandinavia and continental Europe, this friendly northern country is a confluence of modern, cosmopolitan cities; simple, historic architecture influenced by Nordic tradition, and fairytale villages with town markets, country churches, and castles. The flat country, with moors, lakes, farmlands, and woodlands, and traffic-free pedestrian streets are ideal for riding bicycles or chatting with friends at a cafe. Danes value their personal space and love to be cozy and comfortable—following the concept of hygge.

Weekends for teens are often mean parties, hanging out at cafes, and the cinema. Although soccer is most popular, don’t miss out on swimming, sailing or rowing since you’ll be an hour away from the seashore.

A photo posted by ChangXiao (@lettyshaw233) on Sep 25, 2016 at 8:39am PDT

Host Family & Community

You can live anywhere in Denmark, including Greenland and Faroe Islands, however, you will likely be in a rural or suburban area. Danish towns are close together and you can comfortably rely on the public transportation system. Families in Denmark are very close and most prefer to cook dinner at home together every night. Follow the lead of your host siblings: Be independent, do your homework and help out around the house on your own.

School

You’ll either attend the first or second year of gymnasium (a university preparatory high school), or folkeskole for students between 6 and 16 years old. School runs from August through June, Monday to Friday (8 am to 3 pm). You will probably have five or six mandatory subjects and one ortwo electives, in addition to Danish language classes throughout the year. Schools and community organizations offer extracurricular activities: sports, music, crafts, drama or scouting clubs.

Language

The main language spoken is Danish, while Faroese, Greenlandic and German are also recognized as official regionally. Danish people tend to be quite proficient in English, so a basic knowledge of English will be helpful. AFS will help you find language courses in the first few months or provide you with materials to learn the language on your own before going on your exchange.

Food

Danish food includes a wide variety of meats and vegetables. Danish lunch is a traditional open-faced sandwich, called smorrebrod. Dinner is usually the main meal and typically a time for the whole family to gather and talk about their days. Danish people enjoy pickled herring and salted black licorice.

Let AFS guide your intercultural adventure

Go abroad with AFS to discover who you really are, make new lifetime friendships and immerse yourself in a fascinating intercultural experience.

TEEN PROGRAMS (UNDER 18 YEARS OLD)

Our learning program will prepare you for an amazing AFS intercultural experience. The program begins at your home country with a pre-departure orientation and continues with orientations and other supported learning activities and facilitated conversations will help you maximize your experience, cope the challenges of navigating a new culture and community and gain knowledge, skills, and a global understanding, throughout your time abroad, and as you return to you home country. AFS volunteers will be there to support and guide you and your host family through your learning journey abroad.

ADULT PROGRAMS (18 YEARS OR OLDER)

The Global Competence Certificate (GCC) program will support your intercultural learning experience. This state-of-the-art program prepares you to successfully navigate new cultural environments—during your AFSNext experience and long after you finish the program. Online intercultural learning modules combined with in-person sessions help you develop practical and global skills, knowledge and attitudes that employers need and mission-driven organizations believe will help achieve their social impact goals. You will receive your certification upon completion of the training program.

About AFS

AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.